Social Gerontology Today

An Introduction

Elizabeth W. Markson
Afterword by Stephen J. Cutler

This comprehensive text combines sound pedagogy with cutting-edge research issues. Coverage includes the major social, psychological, and biological perspectives on aging and old age. Rather than taking a purely problem-oriented focus, esteemed social gerontologist Elizabeth W. Markson presents both the positive and negative aspects of the aging process.

Social Gerontology Today

An Introduction

Elizabeth W. Markson
Afterword by Stephen J. Cutler

Description

This comprehensive text combines sound pedagogy with cutting-edge research issues. Coverage includes the major social, psychological, and biological perspectives on aging and old age. Rather than taking a purely problem-oriented focus, esteemed social gerontologist Elizabeth W. Markson presents both the positive and negative aspects of the aging process.

Social Gerontology Today features: * A richly illustrated two-color text format. * A fresh, informal writing style that will engage and sustain student interest, blending facts with lived experiences of the phenomena. * Gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and birth cohort issues integrated throughout the text. * Current data and research to dispel myths about aging and later
life. * Bridges the gap between the historical foundations of aging and the current political climate. * Policies and practices in other societies, providing students with a global perspective. * Afterword written by Stephen J. Cutler.

The text is divided into four parts, each developing a major gerontological theme. Part I provides a definition and overview of the study of social gerontology--how it is studied, demographic and social characteristics of the elderly, and social theories about aging. Part II focuses on biological theories of aging, personality and cognition, mental health, and illness. Part III examines family and social relationships, sexuality and intimacy, work, retirement, leisure, economic security, public policy, politics, elders in the
health care system, death/dying, and bereavement. In Part IV, Stephen J. Cutler's Afterword spotlights aging trends for the future.

At the end of each chapter, students will find the following resources: listings of readily available motion pictures on the particular topic discussed, a listing of relevant and reliable websites, research articles that explore topics in greater depth, and recommended supplemental readings.

Social Gerontology Today

An Introduction

Elizabeth W. Markson
Afterword by Stephen J. Cutler

Table of Contents

Part I: Understanding Aging as a Social Process Chapter 1: The Emergence of Gerontology The Social Construction of AgeGerontology as a Field of StudyResearch for Whom?Chapter 2: Doing Social Gerontology Research The Logic of Scientific InquiryBuilding Blocks of ScienceTypes of Research StudiesBasic Statistics: Crunching the NumbersPutting It All Together: Steps in Gerontological ResearchChapter 3: Demography, Population, and Housing: The Elderly Today and Tomorrow Understanding Population Changes and AgingThe Demographic TransitionCharacteristics of the Older PopulationLiving ArrangementsChapter 4: Social Perspectives on Aging Was There a "Golden Age" for the Elderly?Approaches to the Study of AgingTheoretical ShiftsPart II: Individuals and Aging Chapter 5: Biological Perspectives Biological Lifespan and Life ExpectancyPhysiological Changes and HealthIllness and RecoveryChapter 6: Personality and Cognition Adult SocializationSelf-Concept and Self-EsteemFoundational Models of Personality and DevelopmentThe Discovery of Midlife and BeyondLife Review in Late LifeThe Seasons of Life Lead to Anxiety and LossCognitionCognitive ChangesProcesses of "Successful Aging" RevisitedThe Search for New DirectionsChapter 7: Mental Health and Mental Illness Views of Mental DisordersMental Disorders in Old AgeDementiaAlzheimer's DiseaseGeriatrics, Gerontology, and Mental HealthPart III: Aging in Society Chapter 8: Family Relationships and Social Bonds Family Ties and PatternsThe Families of the Now-OldSocial SupportsChapter 9: Sexuality and Intimacy Sexual ScriptsStereotypes About SexualitySexual Activities and ResponsivenessSexual BehaviorLove and IntimacyChapter 10: Work, Retirement, and Leisure Labor Force ParticipationRetirementSources of Retirement Pensions: Social Security and Private PensionsLeisure and Retirement ActivitiesLabor Force Participation and Retirement in the FutureChapter 11: Economic Security, Public Policy, and Politics Income and Expenditures in Later LifeExpenditures: Older
People as ConsumersPoverty and the Distribution of Income in Later LifeThe Politics of AgingMajor Legislation Affecting Elders' Health and Economic Well-BeingA Tradition of Political EldersChapter 12: Elders in the Health Care System Who Pays for Health Care?Patterns of Health Care UtilizationLong-Term CareHealth Care Providers and the ElderlyChapter 13: Death, Dying, and Bereavement Twentieth-Century Mortality TrendsIs There a "Right To Die"?Euthanasia and Assisted SuicideBereavement and GriefWidowhoodPart IV: Afterword The Elderly of Tomorrow, Stephen J. Cutler